Larry E Lucas

US Patent:

20030142948, Jul 31, 2003

Filed:

Jan 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/058876

Inventors:

Larry Lucas - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

G02B006/00

US Classification:

385/147000

Abstract:

The fiber optics signal transfer method employs a single composite drum system and a shaft. Power is delivered to the shaft for rotating the composite drum to the desired pay out speeds. Optical fiber is wound around the single composite drum as it is peeled from a bobbin located several feet away. The shaft, which drives the composite drum, is provided with a hole that is machined in the center of the shaft to approximately of the shaft length. A fiber optic guide tube directs the fiber optic to the center of the shaft and out the exit end of the shaft. At the exit end of the shaft the signal exits the fiber, travels a distance in the air, and the signal through the fiber is subsequently picked up by a stationary photodiode detector. The method includes directing the optical fiber through a winding tension controller, which maintains the tension in the fiber. This winding tension controller controls tension of the fiber through a set of three pulleys, a lower pulley, and two upper pulleys. The winding tension functions by movement of the lower pulley in an up and down mode to control proper tension in the fiber as the fiber from a bobbin is wound on one of the upper pulleys, thence around the lower pulley, and thence around the second upper pulleys which subsequently routes the optical fiber for winding on the composite drum. Alignment of the optical fiber being wound on the composite drum is controlled by a level winding system that also supports the winding tension controller.